Get you up to speed: Neighbours of ‘mega mansion’ built without permission furious at council approval | News UK
Neighbours in Bath, Somerset, are opposing the retention of a ‘mega mansion’ built by developer Thomas Worrall, who has been allowed to keep the property despite residents claiming it was constructed in blatant breach of planning permission. The house, which has been described as the largest new build in Bath in a century, was significantly altered from the original plans approved in 2021.
Developer Thomas Worrall submitted a retrospective application to validate the construction of the home, which was built significantly larger than the five-bedroom design initially approved in 2021. Bath and North East Somerset Council approved the application with a vote of 7-2, amid concerns that rejecting it could leave the property derelict or lead to an appeal.
Bath and North East Somerset Council has approved developer Thomas Worrall’s retrospective application for a seven-bedroom home, which residents claim is a ‘blatant’ breach of planning permission. Local councillors expressed reluctance but felt compelled to follow planning policy, with concerns raised about perceived inequities in the planning process for high-value projects.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain what specific enforcement actions, if any, will be taken against similar breaches of planning permission in the future.
Neighbours of Bath mansion built without permission express anger at council decision
Neighbours of a ‘mega mansion’ built without permission are fuming after losing a decade-long planning row.
Developer Thomas Worrall has been allowed to keep his massive home – believed to be the biggest new-build home in Bath in 100 years.
It is built in a beauty spot in what locals claim was a ‘blatant’ breach of planning permission.
The home on the edge of the historic city in Somerset was built significantly higher and with a larger footprint than what was initially approved, according to the residents, who submitted more than 100 letters of objection.
Initial plans were first submitted in 2013, with permission being granted in 2021 for a five-bedroom home, set into the hillside.
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But what has been built was a much larger seven-bedroom home, along with its own gym and cinema room, which were not part of the original approved plans.
They claim the building is also in a different orientation, about 130 square metres larger and up to two metres taller – now towering over the spire of the tin church next door.
Mr Worrall submitted a retrospective application to avoid enforcement action and validate the build – which councillors have now approved over fears it would end up as a derelict building or face an appeal.
But residents have accused Bath and North East Somerset Council of authorising a ‘two-tier’ system and said it highlights how multi-millionaires are able to abuse and find loopholes during the planning process.
Speaking at the meeting, neighbour Paul Raithby said: ‘The applicant, their surveyor, and your own case officer all acknowledge that what has been built is an intentional breach of planning control.
‘There is zero demonstrated local need for a seven-bedroom luxury mansion to justify overturning planning laws.’
Several councillors said they had ‘reluctantly’ agreed to the changes, which won a vote of 7-2.
Planners had recommended approval as it was ‘policy compliant’, despite being built without permission.
Cllr Tim Warren said: ‘I don’t like it, but I think we have no option but to go along with it.’
Cllr Saskia Heijltjes said: ‘Residents improving their homes must follow approved plans exactly. The owner of the tin church next door is doing everything by the planning book – however long it takes.
‘If this is approved as built, many will conclude that B&NES has a two-tier planning system: one set of rules for those who follow them, and one for those who build first and ask questions later.’
Mr Worall has previously said he had bought the plot with planning permission for the site but had to make some changes ‘on the ground’ due to the water table and ground conditions.
He said the amendments were necessary at the time of construction to allow for a safer build while the expanded basement was ‘added for structural purposes.’
Tavis Hamilton, 48, lives next door to the massive house and has spent ten years battling developers.
”It is enormous and dwarfs all the cottages. It just shows how unfair the process is. It seems if you put the wrong guttering on your house or use the incorrect glazing, the council jump on you for enforcement,’ he said.
‘But you can build this enormous structure without the right planning permission and no enforcement is carried out until it is too late.’
The applicant and house owner Thomas Worrall, of Yate near Bristol, said previously: ‘I only bought the site to build my own house with planning permission already on it. I just want an easy life. I want to get my house finished and move my family into it.
‘I am sorry to everyone for the inconvenience of it all. But I want to be a good neighbour. It will be a lovely building with green grass on the roof. I am just in the hands of planners. I want it to be right. There will be no more work on site until they are 100 per cent happy.’